Sisters Country gets state fair exposure

The Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce spent 11 days (August 28-September 7) at the Oregon State Fair in Salem, promoting off-season travel and tourism to the Sisters Country.

Over the course of the 11-day stint at the fair, staff for the chamber spoke with over 8,500 people. They handed out over 1,000 Sisters Oregon Guides, over 650 Central Oregon Visitors Association Guidebooks, and over 650 Sisters Country Passports.

Businesses from throughout the Sisters Country were very supportive of this event and contributed both coupons and giveaway items for several drawings. Many of the coupons that were contributed have already been used here in the Sisters Country over the course of the past week.

The Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce also hosted several Sisters Country residents demonstrating their art or craft during the fair. These demonstrations increased interest in the booth and the individual artists.

Participating artists were: Corey McAffety from Desert Charm, Dan Rickards from Clearwater Gallery, Karen Shadely with the East of the Cascades Quilters Group, Kathy Deggendorfer from Sisters Art Works and High Desert Gallery, and Cami Patterson from Grand Palace Hotel.

Sisters Country businesses who contributed to packages and coupons during this event: The Fly Fisher's Place, Lake Creek Lodge, Aspen Lakes Golf Course and Brand 33, Black Butte Ranch, Grand Palace Hotel, Best Western Ponderosa Lodge, Solid Rock Granite, Sisters Movie House, Slick's Q Co., Identity Zone, The Lodge at Suttle Lake, Three Creeks Brewing Co., Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, Sisters Folk Festival and Sisters Rodeo.

"The Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce is committed to promoting the Sisters Country throughout the year in unique and effective ways," said Chamber Executive Director Erin Borla. "Members of chamber staff are headed to TEAMS (Travel, Events and Management in Sports) in October to promote Sisters Country as a location for small-scale sporting and time trial events. In addition, look for the recent campaign '31 Days of Autumn Fun in Sisters Country,' launched September 16, 2009 and focusing on something new and exciting to do in and around Sisters Country every day for the month of October."

For more information visit http://www.sisterscountry.com or call 549-0251.